Episodios

  • Can You Follow Jesus Without Believing in Him? What Rhett & Rainn Get Wrong About Christianity

    Can You Follow Jesus Without Believing in Him? What Rhett & Rainn Get Wrong About Christianity
    Aug 5 2025
    This week, we respond to a clip from Soul Boom with Rhett McLaughlin and Rainn Wilson. We unpack the allure of a “just-the-teachings” Jesus, why it falls apart under scrutiny, and why you can’t separate the words of Jesus from the person of Jesus. We explore the intellectual and theological inconsistency of cherry-picking Jesus’ words while ignoring the radical, exclusive claims he made about himself. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:13) – Rhett & Rainn’s take on Jesus (03:38) – The appeal of a softer faith (05:13) – Can you follow Jesus without belief? (07:33) – What Jesus actually said (10:13) – Liar, lunatic, or Lord? (12:23) – When smart people say absurd things (14:13) – Does it matter if Jesus was real? (16:58) – Belief vs. bias (18:38) – The red-letter remix (21:13) – No resurrection, no Christianity (23:43) – Just a teacher? (26:03) – The prophecies they can’t explain away (27:43) – The new crutch: soft Jesus (29:13) – Why it matters what Jesus said about himself (31:13) – The question everyone must answer Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.
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    33 m
  • What if I don't "feel" like a Christian?

    What if I don't "feel" like a Christian?
    Jul 22 2025
    This week, we discuss a recent clip from John Piper, and explore the role of emotion in the Christian life. Is constant emotional intensity the measure of genuine belief? What about the seasons of doubt or dryness many believers experience? We also discuss confessional Christianity, the limits of emotionalism, and the freedom that comes not from emotion, but from the unchanging truth of the gospel. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:52) - John Piper on AI and worship (04:47) - When you don’t “feel” like a Christian (06:17) - The hidden pressure of emotional Christianity (10:44) - The danger of undefined emotional expectations (13:10) - Manufactured vs. suppressed emotions in faith (19:08) - Adopted, secure, and kept forever (21:23) - Grace awakens feeling, not the other way around Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.
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    23 m
  • What Does It Really Mean to Be “Above Reproach”?

    What Does It Really Mean to Be “Above Reproach”?
    Jul 8 2025
    What does it really mean to be “above reproach”? This week, we dismantle modern evangelical assumptions about pastoral perfection and argue for a more honest, grace-centered understanding rooted in Scripture. In this episode: (00:00) – Intro (03:39) - David Mathis on being above reproach (06:12) - The ambiguity of “above reproach” (10:24) – Exemplary doesn’t mean perfect (12:54) – Grace vs. behavior-based qualification (16:23) – Hypocrisy, idolatry, and the double standard (22:00) – Can a fallen pastor be restored? (28:45) – The real disqualifier (33:52) – Loss of trust vs. loss of calling (36:00) – The lie of the perfect pastor (39:00) – Confession is not a weakness Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.
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    42 m
  • Why Most Christians Are Wrong About Israel and Iran

    Why Most Christians Are Wrong About Israel and Iran
    Jun 24 2025
    This week, we dissect a clip claiming that current events in Israel and Iran are predicted in Ezekiel 38 and 39. But is that what the Bible actually says? We explore the history behind this passage, why it’s been misinterpreted, and how fear-based theology distorts Scripture. From the rise of modern dispensationalism to the ancient context of Ezekiel’s vision, we unpack what the text really means—and why it matters how we read the Bible. In this episode: (00:00) – The Middle East is exploding (again) (05:01) – Will Jesus descend and win the war for Israel? (06:39) – Manufactured theology (08:33) – Interpreting the Bible badly (10:34) – A quick history of bad predictions (14:27) – What is Ezekiel actually talking about? (22:29) – Gog, Haman, and the book of Esther (25:30) – Why fear is the wrong response (28:00) – The real problem with “end times” theology (33:35) – Jesus wins, but not like that Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.
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    36 m
  • Is Sanctification the Most Misunderstood Concept in Christianity?

    Is Sanctification the Most Misunderstood Concept in Christianity?
    Apr 8 2025
    This week, we explore the often misunderstood doctrine of sanctification, what it is, and isn’t. Is it something we accomplish through effort, or something God alone works in us? We unpack the difference between performative piety and genuine transformation, arguing that grace—not fear—is the engine of Christian growth. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:37) - Recap of Paul Washer episode (10:59) - Understanding sanctification: monistic vs. synergistic (14:50) - The role of grace in sanctification (17:17) - Biblical interpretation and personal responsibility (21:37) - Historical perspectives on salvation and grace (22:50) - Augustine’s conversion story (23:46) - The reality of Christian imperfection (24:36) - New identity in Christ (26:28) - Conviction and sanctification (30:43) - Faith and evidence of salvation (33:19) - Marriage as a gospel illustration (35:41) - The variability of sanctification (39:41) - The danger of fake spirituality (42:09) - Final thoughts on grace and sanctification Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.
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    43 m
  • Live Q&A: Navigating the Christian Life

    Live Q&A: Navigating the Christian Life
    Apr 1 2025
    This week, we’re sharing a special live Q&A where we explore the complexities of the Christian life. From practical advice on living out your faith to tackling deep theological questions, we cover topics such as faith versus belief, predestination versus free will, overcoming fear, LGBTQ+ issues in the church, and much more. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (04:43) - Cremation and the resurrection (10:29) - Living a life trusting God over fear (20:58) - Confession and forgiveness (26:52) - Christian liberty and deference to others (35:50) - LGBTQ+ issues in the church (39:06) - Understanding tithes and offerings (41:03) - What happens to the soul after death? (42:33) - Do you have to go to church? (44:14) - Grounds for divorce in Christianity (45:16) - Predestination vs free will (49:55) - How gospel writers acquired their knowledge (50:50) - The purpose and power of prayer (54:32) - Faith vs belief (55:14) - Does God have more than one will? (01:01:03) - How far should we go to bring friends and family into faith? (01:06:09) - Is it necessary for Christians to make our belief in God public before others? (01:07:58) - Salvation before Christ’s death (01:08:42) - Is there forgiveness for a Christian who curses God or commits blasphemy? (01:10:03) - What does it mean to condemn oneself (Romans 14)? (01:12:14) - How do we know something is sin if it’s not in the Bible? (01:15:27) - Tattoos and Christianity (01:19:21) - Does a divorced marriage disqualify one from holding a leadership role in the church? (01:20:08) - Public displays of Christianity (01:21:45) - Gospel message and lordship (01:23:25) - The masculinity of Jesus (01:26:16) - Free will and salvation (01:28:37) - Are there contradictions in the Gospels? Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.
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    1 h y 31 m
  • Should Christians Ever Call Out Sin? | TCS Reacts

    Should Christians Ever Call Out Sin? | TCS Reacts
    Mar 25 2025
    Is it our job to warn others away from sin—or just to help them pick up the pieces after they fall? This week, we react to a provocative clip from Tullian Tchividjian and explore the tension between grace, truth, and our responsibility to each other in Christian community. In this episode: (00:00) – Intro (03:46) – When grace feels like a provocation (04:45) – Grace, public failures, and owning your crap (08:41) – What Christians get wrong about rock bottom (09:56) – The cliff, the crash, and the call to stay (12:26) – Do warnings even work? (13:56) – The role of the Holy Spirit in a person’s turning point (15:56) – When you’re the one falling apart (18:26) – What Scripture really says about calling out sin (20:26) – Who has earned the right to speak into your life? (21:56) – Warnings without love fall flat (25:56) – What actually counts as sin? (27:56) – Your convictions aren’t universal (32:56) – Picking up the pieces, not enabling the crash (34:56) – We don’t just fail once Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.
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    37 m
  • What Paul Washer Gets Wrong About God's Love | TCS Reacts

    What Paul Washer Gets Wrong About God's Love | TCS Reacts
    Mar 18 2025
    Does suffering prove God’s love? Does ease mean he’s abandoned you? In this reaction episode, we respond to a video from Paul Washer on hardship, holiness, and God’s love—and challenge some common theological misconceptions. We break down Washer’s claims, discuss the dangers of works-based faith, and explore why grace—not suffering or circumstances—defines our standing with God. In this episode: (00:00) – Intro (02:26) – Paul Washer: Does God’s love mean hardship? (04:10) – Truth or oversimplification? A flawed theology of suffering (08:39) – The hidden Catholicism in reformed theology (09:45) – Prosperity Gospel in reverse? When suffering becomes a badge of honor (12:11) – What does God's correction look like? (18:12) – Can you judge your faith by your circumstances? (23:41) – Holiness and sanctification (27:14) – Why some preachers use fear to keep you in line Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.
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    33 m